THE FIRST TWO WEEKS
• Be gentle when moving furniture back to its intended spot.
• Install proper felt protectors under ALL furniture.
• Wait before replacing area rugs.
• Avoid using water or any cleaner during this period.
• Avoid heavy traffic.
GENERAL CARE
• According to the Oak Flooring Institute, "a good rule of thumb is to vacuum or dust weekly."
• After vacuuming or dusting, use the recommended flooring cleaner for spills and general cleanup on floors that have non-waxed polyurethane or Swedish finish.
• Place mats and throw rugs at doorways, exteriors and interiors to help prevent the tracking of grit, dirt and sand.
• Never wet-mop a wood floor. Water and wood do not mix well. Use the manufacturer's recommended flooring cleaner.
• Wipe up food and other spills immediately with a dry or slightly dampened towel (wipe dry).
• Keep high heels in good repair. An unprotected tip will dent any hardwood floor.
• Use a humidifier or dehumidifier in conjunction with a furnace or air conditioning system to maintain relative humidity in the home at 30-50%. This will maintain the moisture in the wood and minimize cracks between the boards
• Put plastic or fabric-faced glides under furniture legs to prevent scuffing and scratching.
• Kitchen floors experience the most traffic. Place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink and stove. Shake out or vacuum the rugs frequently.
• When moving heavy furniture, protect wood flooring by slipping a piece of cloth or a blanket under the legs.
• Don't use wax, oil soap, or other household cleaners.
• Finally, urethane finishes will eventually show wear patterns from surface scratching. When high-traffic areas begin to look dull, it's time to recoat or restore.
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